The intense rainfall last month has increased the danger of mosquitoes in low lying areas, along rivers and streams and places where large bodies of stagnant water abound, according to health experts.
According to Jorge Arias, an insect control officer for the Fairfax County Department of Health, it only takes the “still water” from the top of a milk carton to breed one to two mosquitoes, or a water–logged tire to create 100 to 1,000 of them. That means residents should take heed, especially after the torrential rains two weeks ago, he said.
“The eggs will hatch if we have a prolonged dry period,” explained Arias.
Although the principal mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus in the Washington area are the culex pipiens and the culex restuans, the most aggravating are the Asian tiger mosquitoes. “Ninety-five percent of complaints we receive turn out to be the Asian tiger,” said Arias, “and they don’t carry West Nile in nature.”
Even then, only 1 percent of people infected with the virus will develop any symptoms whatsoever, according the Washington, D.C. Department of Health.
“Probably most people are infected and don’t notice,” said Sonia Mora, a program manager for Montgomery County Health services. “The biggest danger is the nuisance factor.”
Although health officials are unaware if this year will be particularly mosquito-filled, for the next few weeks these pests populations will be on the rise as a result of the storms.
“There will be an increase temporarily,” said Mora, “but it will settle down.”
